ABOUT BONNIE
As a Seattle immigration lawyer, I am privileged to help change people’s lives for the better by uniting families and helping employers hire skilled global talent. Immigration is what makes our country innovative, diverse, interesting, and forward thinking. I am in this business because I enjoy meeting people from different countries, walks of life, and cultures. Immigration attorneys are dream-makers! We help people achieve their goals of family unification, new career and business opportunities, or finding freedom and safety in America.
For more than 30 years, I have worked hard and passionately for my clients resulting in long lasting relationships with many of them. My business is largely based on their referrals. During these difficult anti-immigrant times in our country, we immigration lawyers know that we are on the right side of history. Our clients deserve dignity, justice, fairness, and opportunity to thrive in the USA.
Why Hire the Law Office of Bonnie Stern Wasser?
The Immigration and/or citizenship journey is unique and personal for everyone. My clients are real people dealing with real-life challenges and goals—and they deserve respect, attention, and to be treated with dignity. Everyone, regardless of citizenship or status, should have the chance to thrive in their community, not just get by.
Immigration and citizenship laws are complicated and change all the time. It’s no surprise that many people feel stressed or anxious, especially with today’s tough immigration climate. Even U.S. citizens and legal residents can be unfairly targeted, and businesses are running into more roadblocks when trying to hire foreign workers.
That’s where I come in. With years of experience in immigration law, I’m here to help you make sense of the system and take some of that stress off your shoulders.
I don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. Your situation matters, and you deserve one-on-one support that fits your specific needs. My goal is to help you resolve your immigration issues quickly and effectively so you can focus on your life or business.
You will always get honest advice from me—even if it’s not what you were hoping to hear. I will tell you the truth about your chances of success, and I will help you understand what to expect. I do my best to anticipate problems before they come up and will always act with integrity.
I am also an advocate for broader immigration reform and can show you how to get involved too, if you want to. Your feedback matters. I want to make sure you feel heard and supported every step of the way.
How We Differ from Other Firms
Many years of immigration practice expertise: I started my career as a government Trial Attorney handling deportation cases working for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service in Los Angeles, California. In addition, as an American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) member, I attend government-bar association liaison meetings and frequent continuing education programs, as a student and speaker.
Leadership: I served for two years as Chapter Chair of the AILA Washington Chapter (AILAWA). I served on the AILAWA Executive Committee for four years, and I chaired a number of its committees. As a leader of this specialty bar association, I promote fairness in the immigration system, continuing education for immigration lawyers, and the highest ethical standards for attorneys in this field. I have encouraged attorneys to do pro bono work and helped to formulate an AILAWA partnership with OneAmerica, an immigrant rights organization, to provide pro bono Citizenship Days around the State of Washington. I am active in various national coalition groups, which helps me to better represent my clients.
Advocate for immigration reform: Working tirelessly with AILA colleagues and immigration advocacy groups, we have demanded that Congress, DHS, DOJ, and our state legislature enact just and fair immigration laws, as well as for consumer protections for our immigrant communities. In addition, I comment on proposed regulations and try to encourage my clients to do so, too. I educate my clients how they, too, can advocate for immigration reform. I have testified several times before the Washington state legislature on immigration related matters and have met with members of Congress to advocate for reform to our immigration laws and sufficient funding to reduce backlogs, among other issues.
Now for the deets………
Personal Interests:
Travel, photography, fiddle/bluegrass music, walks in the beautiful parks of Seattle, great sunsets, being with family and friends.
Education:
JD Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles
MA Urban Planning and Architecture, UCLA, Los Angeles
BA Social Ecology, UC Irvine (including junior year at Université de Bordeaux, France)
Bar admissions:
Washington State Supreme Court
California Supreme Court (inactive in California)
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court, Central District California
Organizations:
American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) (member), AILA Washington Chapter (AILAWA) (member and former Chapter Chair; Member, Washington State Bar Association. Member, AILA National USCIS Benefits Policy Committee; AILAWA Advocacy and Congressional Liaison Committee.
